Unsolicited Farm Drop-Ins


Don't mind me, just taking a stroll through your farm

One of our blog-friends, Meg Paska, over at Brooklyn Homesteader recently opined on an interesting topic. It's something I had been meaning to post about, but kept forgetting. The topic is Unsolicited Farm Drop-Ins. People that stop by the farm randomly without forewarning. Meg's post basically said, "Stop. Call or text us first and make sure your visit is timely for us. Farmers are busy people and you can't just come up here and interrupt our day (or show yourself around the farm if we're not here)."

To be sure, we don't have near the foot-traffic that Meg does on her farm. One reason is that we don't know a whole lot of people out here and we're not close enough to a city for any of our city-friends to make a quick trip out. In addition, Meg has a budding CSA business, popular farm classes, and other things to bring customers out to the farm. We're not quite there yet.

However, we too get random farm drop-ins on occasion. And when we first moved out here I felt the same as Meg. However, over time I developed a different stance... and here's why: 

Read More

Rotationally Grazing Pigs

You've probably noticed that we're big fans of rotational grazing. The goats, the cows, and now the pigs are all rotated around our property inside their own electric fences. While gaining in popularity, this method of livestock management is very uncommon. Yet it makes a lot of sense, if you have the time and resources to make it happen. 

Rotational grazing ensures that the animals are not living and eating amongst their own excrement. It also ensures they have fresh grass to eat everyday. In addition, the land benefits by getting some rest in between grazing periods. The farm (and the farmer) benefits by having healthier and happier animals. It's an all around winner, but it takes the time and motivation to make it happen.

Rotationally Grazing Pigs on Pasture

Rotationally grazing the pigs makes a lot of sense. Those little rooters will get their snouts running and completely destroy perfectly good pasture in no time flat. They have to be moved frequently and the land needs a long time to rest and recover.

Currently, our two gilts are rotating through new pasture every 2-3 days. They are allocated a small parcel of pasture that is dense with unwanted forages (i.e. broomesedge and other less-nutritious 'weeds'). As you can see in the pictures, they literally eat everything in sight. People seem to be surprised that a pig would clean it up that well.

First, the pigs start with the roots. They slowly unearth the entire plant and then proceed to munch down the roots. Next come the stems and leaves. After a couple days the paddock will turn into a mud puddle, especially if we get a little (or a lot) of rain.

Read More

"Tomorrow", An Old Time Recipe For New Year's Leftovers

We had a little get together yesterday to celebrate the New Year. We had such a great time showing the farm to new friends and old and feasting on traditional southern New Years fare. We cooked up a storm, our friends did the same, and before long the kitchen was overflowing with all sorts of deliciousness including black eyed peas, cornbread, and turnip greens. Of course, we had leftovers, and this time, we also had a plan for them! 

Roy, a lifetime local and one of our first farmer friends here, gave our Aunt Tracy a recipe for the leftovers called "Tomorrow" which we just ate for breakfast, today. They're delicious little savory cakes that could be made with any type of beans. I hope some of you will give it a try with your New Years left overs! Here's the recipe:

Take your cold beans from yesterday out and mix with an egg or two - enough that the mixture can be shaped into patties (if you use too much, it's ok - you can cook them like pancakes).  

Read More